Chapter 10
Recognition Given Grange Policies, Objectives, National Position

Over the years,
as the Grange grew in prestige, stature, and practical help to farm families,
it became the recipient of glowing commendations.

The members, in their own way, commend their Grange Subordinate, Pomona,
state, and national officers for outstanding accomplishments, but from
the outside-from national and international leaders-have come messages
of deep interest in its activities, and appreciation indicating how the
Grange has lived up to its birthright.

Only a few of these heartfelt statements can be included here-it would
take a publication as big as this to quote them all. For example, every
President of the United States from Ulysses S. Grant to Lyndon B. Johnson
has been friendly to the Grange and each, in strong public statements,
has endorsed Grange activities, ideals, and contributions to the American
way of life and progress. Two Presidents have attended Annual Sessions
of the Grange. Since the very beginning, the White House has continuously
encouraged Grange officers and members in their efforts to bring about
better conditions for farmers and their communities.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

"I have always had the highest regard and respect for your great
organization. I have many dear and close friends in the National Grange-including
your Master, Herschel Newsom. For many years-in Congress and the Senate,
and now as President-I have valued his counsel. I have never found it
to be other than wise, thoughtful and responsible. Yours is a record
and a history that are rich and constructive.

"The National Grange has been a unifying force in rural America
for nearly a century. It has sought to educate farmers and non-farmers
alike on the need for a strong farm family, agriculture and a prosperous
and stable rural America. Yet, while you have been the advocate of the
nation's farm families, the National Grange has never demanded for farmers
that which was not also in the public interest.

"Your leadership in rural America has never been more indispensable
than it is today. The one-third of our people who live in rural America
must be full participants in the great society that together we shall
build. We seek parity of income for farmers, and we shall seek this goal
within the framework of commodity programs designed to strengthen and
improve farm income. As part of the effort to improve the incomes of
farmers we shall seek particularly to continue to strengthen markets
abroad for U.S. food and fiber . . . ."

JOHN F. KENNEDY

"The thousands of Grange halls which dot the nation, all of them
community centers for civil, spiritual and social activities, continuously
enrich our open society. The counsel of Grange leaders, and the cooperation
and understanding of member families, are vital to the operation of national
farm programs dedicated to strengthening the family farm system under
which our agriculture has become the most productive of all time.

"Through the 95 years of your organization's history, Grangers
have been concerned with the responsibilities of total citizenship as
well as the problems and the progress of agriculture. I am confident
this philosophy will prevail in the challenging and promising days ahead."

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

"A critical test for any organization is the challenge of a national
emergency and the demand made on its members for quick and full service
to the country. This is a test which the National Grange has met with
distinction. In times of peace, also, it has proved a vital force for
the welfare of agriculture and the Nation. The Grange, through the years,
has earned the respect and appreciation of America."

HARRY S.TRUMAN

"Who more than a boy who grew up on a farm and who was afterwards
an active farmer realizes the value of the work of the National Grange-
Its contributions to the American farmer and to farm life generally have
been beyond measure. I am proud of my membership in so constructive a
body."

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

"For many years I have been a member of the Grange. I have felt at home
in it because it embodies the fine flavor of rural living which I myself have
known and loved. Beyond this, it has been an instrument for expressing in useful
activity the highest sentiments and deepest loyalties of Americans."

HERBERT HOOVER

"The Grange not only aids in realizing the conception of a rich
and rounded rural life, but helps to build into our national fiber the
ideals of sound citizenship and patriotic service. It is clearly one
of the most salutary forces in American Life."

CALVIN COOLIDGE

"The progressive conservatism of the Grange and its sensible way
of considering farm problems and presenting farm needs has given it a
position of influence in the Nation and has led those in positions of
responsibility to listen to the views of the Grange with consideration
and respect."

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY

"The spirit of fraternity and cooperation which is so much a part
of the philosophy of the Grange makes this organization more than an
economic institution. Actually, the Grange represents the social, spiritual,
and economic aspects of rural life. It has been and continues to be a
constructive and valuable force in the life of this nation."

ORVILLE L. FREEMAN

"The Grange's traditional objectives . . . character building,
encouragement of education, promotion of sound legislation, and the ready
acceptance of individual and community responsibility . . . are known
and appreciated by all who are working for the betterment of agriculture
and the social, cultural and economic development of rural America.
"The Grange's active support of America's efforts to solve the world food
crisis without jeopardizing the domestic farm economy lends new dimensions, greater
stature and more significance to that organization.
"American agriculture's importance in achieving international peace and
cooperation cannot be minimized, for to achieve those goals the levels of nutrition
and the standards of living must be elevated for all the peoples of the world.

"The thrust the National Grange is helping to give this all-important
effort is both recognized and welcomed by the Secretary of Agriculture,
and now, as the Grange nears its 100th Annual Session, I offer my enthusiastic
congratulations and best wishes."

JOHN EDGAR HOOVER

"The National Grange is part of our American heritage of freedom,
initiative and courage. You have fought valiantly for those principles
which have made America great. You stand as a beacon of strength, working
not alone for the America of today but also the America of tomorrow.

"The principles exemplified by the National Grange are today greatly
needed by America. The increasing lawlessness, civil disobedience and
extremism, both of the left and right, are weakening our Nation. Vigilantism,
draft card burnings, anihilist disrespect for law and order, seriously
injure our cause. We need an increased awareness of our responsibilities
as citizens. Each person in a free society must be willing to do his
share.

"We in the FBI appreciate the steadfast cooperation of the National
Grange. Only in this cooperative endeavor can we keep our country free."

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

"I think the Granges are very useful to the rural communities and
have contributed a great deal to rural life."
(Editor's Note: "As Others See Us" is an excellent booklet compiled
in 1962 by the Washington County Pomona Grange No. 58 of the State of Indiana
and dedicated to National Master Herschel D. Newsom and Blanche Newsom, which
has scores of quotations from national and local leaders about the Grange.)

GRANGE WEEK

Year after year, governors throughout the country proclaim a given week
as "Grange Week," urging citizens of all communities to cooperate
in its observance. This quotation from a Proclamation by Governor Nelson
A. Rockefeller, of New York, is typical of the sentiments and language
used by leading governors in calling attention to the prestige, public
appreciation, and service today of Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges:

"For almost a century the Grange, in New York and elsewhere, has
been one of our most valued and valuable institutions.
"Some years ago its merits were described as follows: `The Grange is a great
farm fraternity: building character; developing leadership; encouraging education;
promoting community betterment; instilling an appreciation of high ideals; teaching
through work and play the value of co-operation and service in the attainment
of happiness.'

"The definition still holds good. In the Empire State the Grange
has been a vital force in legislation, promoting laws for the protection
of the interests of those engaged in agriculture, as 'well as others.

"The organization has also rendered admirable service by promoting
neighborliness in rural neighborhoods. This in turn has made our whole
State a closely knit community, with consequent benefits enhancing the
prosperity and prestige of the State."

In 1966, 35 Governors in Proclamations containing tributes to the ideals
and program of the Grange asked public observance of Grange Week, April
17-23. Grange Week in 1967 will be April 16-22.